Doors For Thought

In less than six months’ time, Approved Document Q1 of the Building Regulations 2010 will take effect – a development that Derrick Purvis, marketing manager of Avocet Hardware, says will be an industry game changer.

He speaks to MyTradeTV about the new regulations and the impact they’ll have on the door and window market.

“Despite all interested parties having been aware of the imminent arrival of the new regulations, the fact is their implementation will still lead to a seismic shift for window and door manufacturers operating in the new build sector. Something that many argue is long overdue.

The problem with the current status quo is product hardware specification and options for selection in relation to security vary significantly. For every high quality product, which brings with it peace of mind and excellent value for money, there are a host of cheaper options that win hands’ down when it comes to price, but fail to provide any real level of security.

Unfortunately, cost is often King and as such, the cheaper, less secure products find themselves being used with great regularity.

What Approved Document Q1 of the Building Regulations does is redress the balance by removing the cheap options from the table and placing security very much to the fore.

This development has to be shouted about from the rooftops, because let’s face it, security is a principle factor for end users when it comes to doors and windows. The higher the specification of the product used, the greater the level of security delivered. And from October 1st, 2015 that’s exactly what the Building Regulations will do. From that date on all doors and windows will, at the minimum, have to be either PAS24:2012 rated or Secured By Design (SBD) – a move that finally regulates against the products that make them less secure.

By and large the new Regulations have been greeted favourably. Although the fact they put such a strong emphasis on home security, and help to slam shut the door on burglars being able to take advantage of poor quality doors, windows and associated hardware to gain entry, does mean they really should be being greeted with a ticker tape parade and a civic reception.

It’s just a shame the Building Regulations don’t go one step further and incorporate BSI’s TS007 3-star and Sold Secure’s SS312 Diamond Standards as must-haves for all retrofit locks. That way, we’d not only see the door (and window) being slammed shut on burglars, but we’d also put a line in the sand when it comes to lock-snapping. Which as we all know is now more prevalent than ever before.

Of course, the fact that Avocet has a complete range of products that enable any door company to meet the requirements of Approved Document Q1 could be said to be the main reason for our cheerleading of it. But it’s most certainly not.

These products have all had this accreditation for some time and, unlike some, we haven’t had to rush them through testing to be ready for the October 1st cut-off.

Additionally, Avocet has always stood firmly on the side of the general public. We want them to be fully informed, not confused when it comes to home security. And the new Building Regulations do exactly that – they set out clear, easy to follow guidelines that ensure security is the primary concern when it comes to doors and windows and at the same time grant the British public some much needed peace of mind.

Here’s hoping that it won’t be too long before we can say the same about retrofit locks.”

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